- Players
- 2+
- Time
- 10 min
- You need
- 5 dice
- To win
- Best cargo after a 6, 5 and 4
Rules
What you need
Five dice and two or more players. Some groups play for a small pot.
Your turn
- Roll all five dice. You get three rolls in total.
- Set aside a 6 (the ship) as soon as you roll one.
- Once you have the ship, set aside a 5 (the captain). Once you have the captain, set aside a 4 (the crew).
- Roll the remaining dice each time to look for what you still need.
- With ship, captain and crew, the two dice left are your cargo: their total is your score. Reroll them with any rolls you have left, or stop.
- No ship, captain and crew after three rolls? You score nothing for the round.
Winning
Everyone takes one turn, and the highest cargo wins the round. Ties are usually played off with another turn. Many groups play a set number of rounds, or the first to win five.
Tips
- A cargo of 8 or more is usually worth keeping. Below that, reroll if you have rolls left.
- If you're the last to roll, you know the score to beat: reroll only if you're behind.
More quick dice games: Pig, Left Right Center and Farkle.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Ship, Captain and Crew?
You get three rolls of five dice. You need a 6 (the ship), a 5 (the captain) and a 4 (the crew), in that order. Once you have all three, the other two dice are your cargo; the highest cargo wins.
Do you have to get the 6, 5 and 4 in order?
Yes. A 5 only counts once you have the 6, and a 4 only once you have the 5. But if one roll shows 6, 5 and 4 together, you can set all three aside.
Can you reroll the cargo?
Yes, if you still have rolls left after getting your ship, captain and crew. You don't have to: you can keep a good cargo and stop.
What's the highest score?
12: ship, captain and crew plus two 6s as cargo.
What is Ship, Captain and Crew also called?
Ship, Captain, Mate and Crew, or simply 6-5-4. It's a classic bar and family dice game.